Less than a week after arriving in New York, Raquel Carrera officially made her WNBA debut with the defending champion New York Liberty at Barclays Center.

The 24-year-old forward from Spain checked into the Liberty’s matchup against the Dallas Wings late in the fourth quarter, becoming the first player from Galicia to ever appear in a WNBA game. While her minutes were limited, the moment itself represented something much bigger, especially for Spanish basketball and the growing presence of Hispanic talent in women’s basketball at the highest level.

A brief but meaningful first appearance

New York fell 91-76 to a Dallas team led by star Paige Bueckers and rookie Azzi Fudd, but with the game already decided, coach Chris DeMarco gave Carrera her first opportunity on a WNBA floor. Almost immediately after checking in, she recorded her first assist in the league, a small but meaningful first stat line as she begins her journey with the Liberty.

“We’ve been deliberate about adding Raquel Carrera to our roster at the right time, and we believe that time is now. She’s the latest international rights player to come to New York, and we feel strongly about the global pipeline we’ve built and the success it can continue to generate in today’s game. Raquel brings a rare combination of size, skill, and strength that fits the modern game. We see a clear path for her growth in New York and believe she has a bright future,” said Liberty’s GM Jonathan Kolb about signing Carrera.

From Valencia to the WNBA

Carrera arrives in New York fresh off winning the Spanish league championship with Valencia Basket and after years of building a strong reputation in Europe. Back in 2021, the Atlanta Dream selected her with the 15th overall pick in the WNBA Draft, and now, four years later, she has officially reached the league.

A big week for Spanish women’s basketball

Her debut also came during a big week for Spanish women’s basketball overall. Former Valencia teammate Awa Fam impressed in her debut with the Seattle Storm, finishing with 10 points and two rebounds, while other Spanish players across the league also began making their mark.

For Hispanic fans following the WNBA, moments like this continue showing just how global the game has become.